Committee for Development Cooperation - Draft Terms of Reference

As presented to the 112th CDC Meeting, 5th April 2006

Background

AusAID administers the Australian Government's official development assistance program, including cooperation with Professional Development NGOs. The CDC is a joint AusAID/NGO advisory and consultative body made up of 6 members; three each from the NGO community and AusAID. Decisions on funding and other cooperation with NGOs are taken by AusAID under delegated authority from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

While the CDC began as a significant engagement between the NGO community and the aid program, over the years the nature of engagement between the aid program and Professional Development NGOs has changed and the number and scope of engagement opportunities has expanded.

The role of the CDC is seen as crucial in relation to the continuous improvement of accreditation and ANCP policies. Accreditation, as a mechanism that gives Professional Development NGOs access to the AusAID NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and other AusAID funding, remains the key to aid program funding of Professional Development NGOs.

Role and Functions of the CDC

The role and function of the CDC is to:

Review Accreditation Reports commissioned by the CDC and make recommendations to the AusAID delegate
Provide advice on accreditation criteria and ANCP policy
Act as an advisory and consultative body to AusAID for the Australian Professional Development NGO community on issues of concern to that community.

NGO CDC Members

NGOs are represented by three elected members. The elected members sit as individuals and represent NGOs in general rather than any specific organisation.

In addition, a member of ACFID sits on the CDC as an observer.

The members are elected by NGOs for a term of two years. The elections are organised by the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

NGO members of the CDC are not paid for their attendance at CDC meetings or for participation in CDC working groups. However, they are reimbursed for their travel expenses to CDC and working group meetings. NGO CDC members may be engaged by the CDC/AusAID to undertake specific tasks where their NGO experience and relationship with the NGO community is utilised. When such tasks are undertaken by NGO CDC member's payment is made at an agreed NGO consultant's rate.

AusAID CDC Members

AusAID is represented by:

Director Community Programs Section

A suitably qualified AusAID staff member at Director level as determined by AusAID at the time

Manager, NGO programs.

CDC Meetings

The CDC is chaired by the Director, Community Programs Section. AusAID will provide a limited secretariat service.

The CDC will meet a minimum of twice a year, usually in April and September. The CDC may hold electronic/remote CDC meetings where the CDC considers a teleconference arrangement sufficient to handle the items on the agenda.

Additional meetings will be called as deemed necessary dependent on the workload of the CDC.

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October 2006